SIERRA

   This is a time of serious challenges and great opportunities. The threat of terrorism and the state of the economy require us to think in terms of more than just the environment.

   The opportunity is great because nothing good is going to happen for the public unless we (the public) take action.

   In this part of the state we are locked into the business approach to government. Let the market decide, buyer beware, reduce the size of government and minimize regulations. This approach is great for about 20% of the population. According to economist Lester Thurow, 80 % of the population has experienced a 17% decrease in purchasing power over the last 15 years!

   Local politicians are locked into no taxes, small government, marginal schools, minimal environmental controls and uncontrolled development. Their sources of funds leave them with no choice and the philosophy that, 'if itıs broke, donıt fix it'. One wonders how they can be so out of touch.

   Therefore: there is a real need for action on our part. If we donıt do it, who is?

The above is the background for our planning for the coming year.

   The environment is not our only major concern. We address this in another article in this issue: "The Environment is Not Our Biggest Problem." It makes the case that education and skills training are the best chance of making the pie bigger for all.

   Of immediate interest is the (coming) legislative session. We are coordinating our efforts with the Chapter and with the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN). In 30 pages VCN outlines the environmental issues to be addressed during this session. The (Sierra Clubıs) Virginia Chapter in its most recent newsletter identifies its objectives and goals for the next three years.

   Like last year, we invite you to join our Chesapeake Bay Groupıs "E-MAIL ACTIVISTS". We gained valuable experience. Unfortunately, our alerts in some cases were of a very short fuse and did not allow for adequate time for developing an informed position. We will do better this year. Sign up with Fred via email at warbler@exis.net.

   We are also identifying some key issues to be addressed (thoughout) the coming year. These include:

1. Windmills as an alternate source of energy,
2. Reduction of dependence on oil as a source of energy,
3. *(Hybrid) cars,
4. *(Non-attainment) in air quality,
5. Smart growth.

   We will be gathering information on these issues and where possible make them a part of our monthly programs.

   In addition, we are continuing our "service outing" program. Last year was one of our most productive. Progress was made on: cages for birds of prey, cleaning the Colonial Parkway, preserving a part of Chincoteague, maintaining a butterfly garden at the Back Bay NWR, initiating a species inventory at Nike Park in Isle of Wight. We also are planning projects for the Great Dismal Swamp NWR, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel and Camp Young, the school for Norfolkıs elementary children. Be a part of this productive program.

   Nothing can be accomplished without your support and participation. Come and join us for this important and challenging new year.

Last month we reported on the construction of bird cages for rehabilitating birds of prey. Now we can report on the outstanding work being done by our members at Isle of Wight's Nike Park.

Members are conducting an inventory of species for the Isle of Wight Ruritan Club. The club is assisting the park management to improve the habitat for wildlife and this can not be done without an inventory of what is there. So they requested our assistance and members have been excited to help out.

The project began in October and members have gone back every month since. Jimmy and Betty Bradshaw went in November and Charlotte Griffin and a couple of friends went in December. Charlotte went on one of our coldest days.

The effort to date has concentrated on birds. In the spring we will be doing more with butterflies and wildflowers.

I wish we had pictures of the Bradshaws and Charlotte and her gang to display here. We will work on that.

One of our reasons for getting involved in this project was that recently two of our members, Ron Anderson and Don Jeffries, took Wildlife Mapping training offered by the Game and Inland Fisheries Agency on conducting and recording species surveys. By having trained spotters, we can be assured that the information gathered will be available to state agencies responsible for wildlife.

   By popular demand we willhave the slide show by members. We have been doing this longer than I can remember.

   It is so impressive to see what our own members have done during the past year. One year we had a young woman who had done white water rafting on the Colorado River. Another year a member canoed the periphery of North Carolina and Virginia. Another couple went to Lake Powell and spent a week on a house boat. One fella even went to the woods of Northern Maine and did trail maintenance for 10 days.

   Not every presentation is so exciting, but what each offers is the lure of getting out in nature and doing something satisfying.

   Share what you have done. January 6th, Virginia Beach Central Library at 7 PM.

   A call to citizen action!

   The new year brings some new calls for Club members to become involved in protecting the last best places in the Commonwealth.

   Virginia's budget crunch has affected nearly every area of funding, but none as critically as in natural resource protection. Experience shows that the already small allocation of state funding for land and water conservation is the first to be sacrificed when the belt is tightened. These cuts have dropped Virginia, with among the highest per capita income levels in the nation, to dead last among the 50 states in environmental protection, a major erosion in our quality of life.

   This has to change!

   Fortunately, there are enough citizens sharing these concerns to really make a difference.

   The Sierra Club and the Virginia Conservation Network are joining forces to push for legislation in the General Assembly to establish a dedicated funding source for conservation.

   The state has already set up the funding mechanism, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF), and has declared its goal of protecting one million acres in Virginia by 2007 and the Chesapeake 2000 agreement (20% of the Bay watershed by 2010).

   The problem is that funding was cut to zero this past year. Contrast that with the $50 million allocated by one city alone, Virginia Beach, for open space.

   A recent public opinion poll demonstrated that over 80% of Virginia's citizens support the creation of a dedicated funding source for land conservation.

   Topping the legislative agenda for the new year is setting a level of $40 million a year in protected funding, really a drop in the bucket, but we need to start somewhere! State funding is matched with federal contributions, so that initial small investment has some real impact.

   The Commonwealth has fallen far behind on its goals, and citizen's voices need to be heard. Tell your elected representatives to address long overdue needs such as wetlands acquisition, recreational areas and cleanup of polluted waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Support VLCF dedicated funding.

   To keep abreast of this and other legislative issues and for action alerts, you can sign up for the Sierra Club Virginia Action Network at virginia.sierraclubaction.org.

   Detailed news and action alerts can be emailed to you by request at www.vcnva.org.

   GET ACTIVE THIS YEAR!